The climate of e-commerce in the retail space has put tremendous pressure on distribution centers (DCs). Not only must DCs adapt to the needs of the current state of the retail space; they also must be able to predict and prepare for future challenges.

The ease of e-commerce for consumers has created many expectations that DCs strive to meet, such as fast delivery times, a healthy inventory with various SKUs, and more. Customers often expect same-day or two-day shipping. This means distribution centers must adjust their warehouse locations to make deliveries on time. And the growing quantity of SKUs that DCs must make room to house often brings on space issues.

There are many factors working against distribution centers. From labor shortage to returns handling, operators must use strategic planning to anticipate future demands. Each year, many warehouse jobs go unfulfilled due to the lack of skilled labor available. Fortunately for DCs, there are many solutions to choose from to make sure their operation or fulfillment center is well-equipped to tackle the problems of tomorrow. 

Artificial intelligence, robotics control and voice technology are just a few resources distribution centers can incorporate to create better operational workflows. By integrating these solutions into their DC, operators can find answers to today’s problems and be ready for the expectations of the future.

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